Aeroplane



April 7, 1925.

J. B. IMMERS AEHOPLANE.

Filed Dec, 2v, 1924 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented Apr. 7,l 1925.

UNITED STATES 1,532,902 PATENT oFFIcE.

JEAN BAPTISTE IMMER/S, 0F BRUSSELS, BELGIUM.

AEROPLANE.

Application filed December 27, 1924. Serial No. 758,447l y To all 'whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JEAN BAr'ris'rn IM- MERs, a subject of the King of the Belgians, residing at Brussels, Belgium, 33 Rue des Osiers, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Aeroplanes, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to an improvement in aeroplanes and is more particularly characterized by the provision of longitudinal axis. If desired, two pairs of.

the aforesaid rotary sustaining elements may be provided, in which case the two pairs of shafts have their two central longitudinal axes extending symmetrically on either side respectively of the. longitudinal axis of the fuselage. An operative connection of any suitable type is provided between the aeroplane-engine and the aforesaid shaft for rotating the two shafts of each pair of rotary sustaining elements in opposed directions.

In order that the invention may be readily understood, it will now be further described with reference to the accompanying purely diagrammatic drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a' perspective view of a pair of rotary sustaining elements 4of the type referred to above;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an aeroplane having one form of the invention applied thereto;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of another type of aeroplane according to the invention;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing an aeroplane according to the invention, wherein the usual transversely, extending wings are omitted; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a modified type of rotary sustaining elements.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawing, it will be seen that the rotary sustaining elements which are, according to the invention, provided in pairs, each consist of a plurality of longitudinal plane surfaces 1 which are arranged radially at equal vangular intervals4 in cross section and are mounted on a rotary shaft 2. The two shafts 2 are parallel and lie in the ksame horizontal plane, and the relative arrangement of the plane surfaces y 1 is suchjthat when the shafts 2 are rotated in opposed directions a surface 1 belonging to one of the rotary elements and a surface 1 belonging to the other will pass alternately in the space between the two shafts.` The latter instead of being parallehmay be slightly divergent towards the rear of the aeroplane, and the plane surfaces 1, instead of being straight as shown, may be slightly curved or have a very elongated helicoidal shape. The said shafts 2, which extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aeroplane, are driven by means of two spoclrets mounted on one of the ends of said shafts 2 of two endless chains 4 passing over driving sprockets 5 which are driven by the aeroplane-engine.

Referring to Fig. 2, in which 6 indicates the wings, and 7 the fuselage of an aeroplane, the latter is fitted witha single pair of rotarysustaining elements 1 ofwhich the two shafts 2 are situated in a common horizontal plane above the level of the wingsfG,

and extend symmetrically on. either side respectlvely of the vertical plane of the`longitudinal axis of the fuselage 7. -The said` single pair of rotary sustaining elements 1- is provided above the fuselage 7, but the said elements are made of such a size that the usual wings may be dispensed with.

As illustrated by Fig. 5, each of the individual plane surfaces of the type of rotary sustaining elements shown in Fig. 1 may be replaced by a longitudinal series or row of paddle-'like surfaces 1. The plane surfaces of the rotary sustaining elements are preferably made of fabric but may be made of any other suitable material.

It has been found experimentally that when the two shafts of each pair of rotary sustaining elements are caused to `rotate in opposed directions vdi'v'erging upwardly and outwardly from the median vertical plane passing between the two said shafts the airy ofthe rotaryeleinents has :an action somewhat similar to that ,of the flapping wings of the birds, whereby considerable assistance f is afforded to the aeroplanewhen rising.

.It should be understood that the plane surfaces orseries of plane surfaces constituting eacliof the rotaryelements referred to above neednot be limited to four as illustrated in the accompanying drawing, but may `be ,in any desired number.

I claim: y n

1.111 an aeroplane, thefcombination with fuselage, an aeroplane engine, and wings extending substantially transversely inrelation to the'longitudinal axis of the fuselage, of `a pair of mutually interengaging rotary sustaining elements each consisting of a plurality of longitudinal plane surfacesy arranged radially atequal angular intervals in crossfsecticn and-mounted on a rotary shaft, the two shaftslyi-ng inthe saine horizontal plane and extending substantially parallel to the ,longitudinalaxis of the fuselage and d v `symmetrically onleither side respectivelyof the vertical plane of the said longitudinal axis; and of means, forming an operativeA connection between the said shafts and the aeroplane engine, forfrotating the said two shaftsy in i opposed directions; substantially as described.

2. In an aeroplane, thejconib'ination with.

shaft, the two pairsof shafts' lying in the saine horizontal plane and having their two central longitudinal axes extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fuselage and symmetrically on. either side respectively of the vertical planesof the said `longitudinal axis; and of `ineans, forming inoperative connection'betweenthesaid shafts Aand vthe aeroplane engine, for rotating theA saidtwo shafts of each-,pair in opposed directions; substantially asv described. y In an aeroplane, lthe combination with a fuselage, an aeroplane engineyand .wings extending substantially transversely iiii-el`ation to the longitudinal aXS 0f therfuselge, of a pair ofmutually interengaging rotary sustaining elements .each .consisting of a plurality of longitudinal .seriesiof paddlelike plane surfaces `arranged ,radially at equal angular intervals in cross-.section fand niountedvon a rotary shaft, the two shafts lying in the "same horizontal plane and extending substantially parallel to the ,longitudinal axis of the ,fuselagef and synriuietri-l cally on either ,side respectively 1, of fthe vertical plane of the said longitudinal axis; and

of means, forming an operative `connection between the said shafts and thegaeroplane engine, for rotating the` said two'shafts in opposed directions; :substantially vas described.

In testimony whereof Isigned hereunto iny naine .in the y presence of two subscribing witnesses.y y

JEAN BAPTISTE 'IMMERS c Witnessesz Y y EMIL VANWROUSEK. 

